Mystic Ice Cream is gearing up for a sweet expansion, with the beloved local brand preparing to open its fourth location in Oxford within the next two weeks. The new shop, located behind Gio’s Deli and Restaurant, will mark a return to four storefronts following the recent closure of Mystic’s Eustis shop earlier this year.

But that’s not all, a fifth location is already in the works. Mystic Ice Cream plans to open at 348 Alexander Street in Mount Dora by late August or early September, further solidifying its growing presence across Central Florida.

(The new Mount Dora location is going to be an amazing place when it opens. Located in beautiful downtown Mount Dora.)

“We are very excited for these two new Mystic Ice Cream locations,” said co-owner Darrell Day, whose passion for community, faith, and music fuels the heart of the business. “I’m fortunate to have the gifts God has given me. Because of my education and performing background, I am able to use my gifts to enhance the experience of our customers when they come to Mystic.”

(Darrell Day “right” who is the owner of Mystic Icre Cream, stands next to his wife Lisa “left.”)

Music, indeed, is in Darrell’s blood. His father, Joe, was a guitarist and singer, while his mother, Opal, performed and toured the Midwest during the 1940s. Darrell’s musical journey began in childhood, singing in church and learning piano at age 7, guitar from his dad, and trumpet by 11. He went on to study conducting and composition at Eastern Kentucky University, where he majored in voice.

Darrell and his wife, Lisa, a Christian Mingle success story, have been married for eight years and share a blended family of five adult children: Megan, Tom, Ryan, Garrett, and Nicholas.

(The new Mystic Ice Cream in Oxford will be located right behind Gio’s Deli off US 301.)

The couple purchased Mystic Ice Cream from original founder Jeff Markow in 2019, just two months before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.

“We’d just invested money in this new business and now everything was shutting down,” Darrell recalled. “Our prayer has always been, ‘How do we serve our community?’ We opened the front window and sold ice cream that way and also bought an ice cream truck.”

(My personal favorite. Call me a plain guy, but the vanilla flavor packs a punch at Mystic Ice Cream and is always refreshing.)

Through creativity, faith, and hard work, the Days have kept Mystic Ice Cream growing and now, their vision continues with two more scoops of success in Oxford and Mount Dora.

For more updates and opening announcements, follow Mystic Ice Cream be sure to follow them on social media.